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Global Support Centre > Digital Certificates > Back Up Certificate

If you have received a certificate and installed it you may need to export this to keep a backup or to use it on another machine. We always recommend you keep a backup in case you suffer hardware failure on the machine the certificate is installed on.

If you placed the order using Internet Explorer 7 on Windows XP follow the steps below

1. Open Internet Explorer 7 and click on “Tools” and then “Internet Options”.

You will see the box appear as shown to the left.

2. Click on the “Content” Tab.
3. In the middle is a button called “Certificates” – click on this to show the certificate store in Internet Explorer.

This will show your certificate store and your Personal certificate will be displayed here.

4. Select the certificate by clicking once on it, and then click on “Export”.

You have now started the “Certificate Export Wizard”.



5. Click Next to start the process. The first step will ask you if you want to export the private key.



You MUST click YES.

If you do not select the ̴Export Private Key” then you will not be able to use the certificate on any other machine.

Some third party security software installed on Window machines may prevent you from exporting the private key as a security measure. You also need to have a User Account which is Password protected to have the option to export the private key.

The next page will select the file format you need to save the certificate.

This should be .PFX format by default.

Select

• “Include all certificates in the certification path if possible”
• “Enable strong protection” need to be selected.
6. The next step it will ask you to create a password for the certificate file. This is something you create, so please do not forget since you will need it later to import the certificate to the new computer. After this give your certificate a file name. We suggest you call it something like “GlobalSign_cert” and save this onto your Desktop so it is easy to locate.
7. The final step will be to confirm the details, click “Finish” and the export will be complete.

If you placed the order using Firefox on Windows XP/Vista follow the steps below

Before you start the order you must create and setup the MASTER PASSWORD within Firefox. If this security measure is not created first you will not be able to complete the order and install your certificate.

1. To create this, go to Tools and then Options within Firefox.
2. Select “Security” to see the password section and to create the master password. When this is created you can then start the ordering process.
3. Once you have installed your certificate go to Tools then Options and select “Advanced”. Click on the “View Certificates” to show the Firefox Certificate store.



4. You will now see the certificate in the Firefox store. Click on the certificate and then click on the “BackUp” button. This will open a window to create the filename. We recommend you store this on your Desktop and name it “GlobalSign_cert”.
5. When you click save, you will be asked for the Master Password. When you have entered this, you can then assign a password to your certificate file. Do not forget this, since you will need it later.

After this, your certificate will be saved.



If you are unable to save the file as a .p12 file this means your private key is not exportable. One main reason for this is because you have third party security software which prevents exporting the private key as a security measure.

Export the Certificate from Firefox and Import to Internet Explorer

If you have exported the file from Firefox you now need to import to Internet Explorer. The following steps below will show you how this can be achieved.

1. In “Internet Explorer” click on “Tools”, then “Internet Options” and then the “Content” tab. Click on the “Certificates” button to show the certificate store.
• Click on the “Import…” button.
• You will now see the “Certificate Import Wizard”.
• Click on “Browse” to select the file.



2. You will need to select the folder your certificate is stored in and change the “Files of type” to a Personal Information Exchange file (.p12).
3. You will now see your certificate displayed. Select this and click “Open”.
4. Enter your password you assigned to the file and we suggest you select the option to make the certificate exportable in the future.

However, if you do not want the users of the PC to have this option then do not select it.



5. Make sure that the certificate is stored in the “Personal” folder in the Certificate store.
6. Click Next to finish and complete the import.

You will now see the certificate in your Certificate Store in Internet Explorer.

Note: If you are experiencing difficulties in completing an order you must use the same computer and browser when placing the entire order. Do not start an order if you cannot complete it using the same machine.